The Liminal Podcast

19. AI @ Graduations: Straight From the Horse’s Mouth

Episode 19 - AI @ Graduations: Straight From the Horse’s Mouth In the middle of our largest spring season ever, AI at graduation has been making headlines - and not always for the right reasons. Between the Glendale glitch, graduates booing speakers, and a broader wave of AI backlash, it’s easy for the real story to get lost. So instead of just talking about it ourselves, we’re sharing an interview with Peter Lafford, one of our longtime name readers who has been reading names at ASU for 30 years. Peter has seen graduation from the front row for three decades. He knows the old way. He’s watched the technology evolve. And he has a grounded, human perspective on how AI is helping make one of the most important moments in a student’s life even better. This episode is about names, dignity, student control, and why getting pronunciation right matters. AI is not replacing the humanity of graduation here - it is helping protect it. Audio of KJZZ interview: https://youtu.be/8OziE7IYcb8?si=osp43IJcLORTyV2R&t=2118 [https://youtu.be/8OziE7IYcb8?si=osp43IJcLORTyV2R&t=2118] Transcript of KJZZ interview: https://www.kjzz.org/the-show/2026-05-21/hes-been-an-asu-graduation-reader-for-decades-now-an-ai-system-uses-his-voice-to-say-the-names [https://www.kjzz.org/the-show/2026-05-21/hes-been-an-asu-graduation-reader-for-decades-now-an-ai-system-uses-his-voice-to-say-the-names] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heytassel.substack.com [https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

18. When Your Face Becomes the Product: Analyzing the GradImages Lawsuit

🎙️ The Liminal: When Your Face Becomes the Product — Graduation Photos, Biometrics, and the GradImages Lawsuit In this deep dive episode of The Liminal, the studio gets a little… meta. With Chase Rigby taking the week off, his synthetic substitutes host the conversation to unpack one of the most consequential legal cases in the graduation industry: Gertner v. Commemorative Brands (GradImages). Using facial recognition to sell graduation photos may have seemed like harmless automation—but a newly certified class action lawsuit suggests otherwise. From $49.99 JPEGs to a potential $190M liability, this episode breaks down how biometric privacy laws collide with legacy graduation photo business models, and why the industry may be heading for a fundamental reset. 📝 Topics Discussed: How graduation photos became a flashpoint for biometric privacy Why students feel like their memories are being “held hostage” The mechanics of facial recognition in graduation photography workflows What the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) actually requires Why this lawsuit isn’t about copyright—but consent How cloud servers, facial geometry, and email marketing intersect The failed defenses GradImages used to fight class certification Why selling photos can count as “profiting from biometrics” The difference between surveillance-based matching vs user-initiated matching How a SaaS model changes the privacy and economics of graduation photos Why free photos may be worth more than commission checks Equity, access, and why graduation photos shouldn’t be a luxury item 📌 Episode Highlights: [00:00] A synthetic Chase joins the show—using AI voice tech to discuss biometric tech[01:26] The infamous email: watermarked photos and $49.99 price tags[02:11] The “190 million pound straw” that could break the graduation photo industry[02:50] Why this lawsuit isn’t about photography—it’s about what happens after[03:13] Facial recognition at scale: face maps, cloud servers, and automation[04:36] What makes BIPA the “nuclear option” of privacy laws[05:38] Section 15C: when selling photos becomes profiting from biometric data[06:19] Judge McGlynn certifies the class—500+ events, 190,000 graduates[06:47] Why moving data to another state doesn’t avoid Illinois law[07:19] The bizarre credibility attack involving a meme—and why it failed[08:39] Why the old model is now “legally radioactive”[09:14] What a compliant, user-initiated photo flow actually looks like[09:44] Why making photos free changes everything[10:26] Trading a $1,000 commission check for $19,000 in organic impressions[11:20] Graduation photos as an equity issue—not a luxury add-on[11:41] “Privacy by design” vs “privacy by accident”[12:34] Your face as the ultimate password—and why consent matters[12:53] Why this lawsuit may permanently reset the industry 🎓 Rethinking graduation photos? Tassel helps schools modernize ceremonies with privacy-first tools—from ticketing and name reading to announcements, displays, and compliant photo delivery. Learn more → tassel.com [http://tassel.com] This episode of The Liminal is brought to you by Tassel — the platform trusted by hundreds of schools to power commencement logistics while putting students, privacy, and experience first. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heytassel.substack.com [https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

17. Crossing the Stage and the Pond — How Graduation Works in the UK

n this international episode, Tassel CEO Chase Rigby sits down with Beth Lincoln (Manchester Met) and Richard Barden (King’s College London) to explore how graduation is evolving across the UK. From hiring gowns to running 29 ceremonies in two weeks, this episode digs into the differences—and surprising similarities—between UK and US commencement traditions. 📝 Topics Discussed: How UK universities handle cap and gown rentals (and why no one throws their cap) Running “relaxed” graduation ceremonies for students with sensory or access needs The growing trend of smaller, more personalized ceremonies Why printed programs might be on their way out Student costs, inclusion, and how some schools are helping grads attend A behind-the-scenes look at 14–29 ceremonies in a single week Forming the UK’s graduation planning community—and what US schools can learn from it 📌 Episode Highlights: [01:38] Beth and Richard share their own graduation memories (spoiler: one involved a Lord!)[05:06] How a UK-wide group of 300+ graduation planners formed during COVID[06:35] “Relaxed ceremonies”: a low-sensory alternative for anxious or neurodivergent grads[12:31] Why students hire (not buy) their gowns in the UK—and what it costs[18:10] 14 ceremonies in a week? Why UK venues limit capacity[20:43] 29 ceremonies at Manchester Met and how the team pulls it off[24:02] The push for personalization: student-focused speakers and stories[28:27] Printed brochures are out—what students want instead[32:14] How collaboration across departments improved graduation logistics[36:28] Supporting students who can’t afford to attend[37:32] Why universities still invest in graduation—despite budget pressures 🎓 Want to deliver a more personalized, modern ceremony? Learn how Tassel can help → tassel.com [http://tassel.com] This episode of The Liminal is brought to you by Tassel — the platform trusted by hundreds of schools to power commencement logistics, from ticketing and name reading to announcements and displays. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heytassel.substack.com [https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

16. From Paper to Power — Jermaine White on Ticketing Innovation and Graduation Equity

🎙️ The Liminal: From Paper to Power — Jermaine White on Ticketing Innovation and Graduation Equity In this episode, Kate Williams chats with Jermaine White, Assistant Superintendent of Harnett County Schools, about how moving to digital guest ticketing transformed their seven high school ceremonies. From fighting fraud to helping families feel more included, Jermaine shares how Tassel’s tools saved time, improved security, and made graduation smoother for everyone. 📝 Topics Discussed: The moment Jermaine realized paper tickets had to go What families remember most—and why it always makes him emotional How Tassel's digital ticketing became essential after COVID Building school and venue trust through transparency and data Fighting fraud (yes, even ticket scams at graduation!) Why personalized tickets created a moment of pride for one graduate How to get school-wide buy-in for new tech—and make other principals jealous What Jermaine would tell any high school leader considering Tassel 📌 Episode Highlights: [01:50] The speech, the cookout invite, and the last graduation his grandmother attended[03:30] Why graduation is as much for parents as it is for students[05:49] A fire marshal, a Google search, and the start of a digital transformation[07:40] How Tassel simplified logistics and brought peace of mind[08:06] Pre-Tassel chaos: boxes of paper tickets, manual counting, constant errors[10:20] How COVID helped accelerate digital ticketing adoption[11:20] Preventing fake tickets and giving unused ones to other families[14:24] A custom ticket for a Japanese Honor Society grad—and why it mattered[16:23] Tassel as a long-term part of the district’s graduation strategy[18:05] Jermaine’s favorite tactic to get buy-in: make other schools jealous[19:41] Strengthening venue relationships through real-time data and transparency 🎟️ Ready to simplify your ceremony with secure, modern guest ticketing? Learn more at: tassel.com/ticketing [https://tassel.com/ticketing] This episode of The Liminal is brought to you by Tassel — the platform that makes graduation easier for schools and more meaningful for every guest. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heytassel.substack.com [https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

15. The Product That Pays Students Back — Behind the Scenes of Graduation Announcements

🎙️ The Liminal: The Product That Pays Students Back — Behind the Scenes of Graduation Announcements In this special episode, Tassel CEO Chase Rigby sits down with Systems Administrator Jake Mayer to talk about the launch of Graduation Announcements—Tassel’s newest product that lets grads tell their story, share a link, and receive financial gifts straight to their Venmo or PayPal accounts. They dive into how the idea came about, why it matters, and the surprising impact it’s had on students, schools, and families. 📝 Topics Discussed: The problem with $100+ paper announcements—and what comes next How a birthday gift page led to a nationwide rollout The philosophy behind putting money into students' pockets Why one student made $3,500 just by sharing their story How schools are using announcements to surface powerful, authentic stories The ripple effect for branding, enrollment, and global family reach How Tassel made it “easier than Instagram” to set up a page What’s next for announcements: videos, richer content, and stage-walk clips 📌 Episode Highlights: [01:09] The outdated world of paper announcements—and the inspiration to digitize it[04:20] The MVP started as a birthday donation tool for Chase’s daughter[06:30] Tassel’s mission: stop squeezing students, start giving back[08:54] Students share what the money meant to them—and what they used it for[09:39] The recovery story that moved a university to tears[13:00] How real stories are now powering school marketing in a whole new way[16:01] What it’s like to create a page: upload, write, link your Venmo, done[18:19] Grandma messages, international donations, and future roadmap requests[24:41] The surprising ways students are sharing: LinkedIn, TikTok, even calendars[27:14] Beyond stories: announcements include livestreams, details, and ceremony links 🎓 Ready to create your own digital announcement? Visit: tassel.com/graduation-announcements [https://tassel.com/graduation-announcements?utm_source=podcast] This episode of The Liminal is brought to you by Tassel — building tools that make every graduation easier, more inclusive, and more memorable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heytassel.substack.com [https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]